IMPLEMENTATION OF CONDITIONS OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS IS STILL FAR: TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN

Today.Az
Oct 22 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Turkish parliament’s International Affairs
Committee Deputy Chairman Mehmet Ceylan.

Day.Az: International Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament
headed by Chairman Murad Mercan is going to visit Azerbaijan. Can
you clarify the details of this visit?

Mehmet Ceylan: I do not have accurate information about the purpose and
timing of the visit. Parliamentarians of Turkey and Azerbaijan often
make reciprocal visits. This shows high level of inter-parliamentary
ties between the two countries. We can discuss the issues that serve
interests of both countries and make joint decisions. Recently the
issue of the protocols has led to some concern in both countries. Now
there is a need for frequent meetings and addressing this concern.

Q: Will Turkey-Armenia border open soon?

A: The implementation of items and terms of the Armenian-Turkish
protocols is still far. Following the recommendation of the Cabinet
of Ministers, the International Affairs Committee of Parliament
should adopt the protocol. Then must come the turn of parliamentary
ratification. Under the law, the ratified document must be approved
by the president. Only then that document takes legal effect and
implementation of its items can be launched.

Q: As an MP from the ruling party, how do you explain the willingness
of the Turkish government to open the border? The causes behind the
border closure has not yet been resolved …

A: The current government of Turkey seeks to establish normal
relations with all neighboring countries. Problems can not remain
unsolved forever. There is a need to solve them. Without negotiations,
gradual warming is impossible. When we wanted to improve relations with
Armenia, we did not want deterioration of relations with Azerbaijan. Of
course, for us Azerbaijan’s interests are paramount.

Prime minister and the president of Turkey has repeatedly stated that
Turkey will not take a step contrary to Azerbaijan’s interests. Turkey
wants a speedy resolution to the Karabakh problem. Over these 17
years, while the Turkish-Armenian border has been closed, the Karabakh
problem has not been resolved and the sides have not achieved any
intermediate results. Turkey intends to triple its efforts to return
territories of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani side must understand the positive intention of Turkey.

Today, Turkey is one of the forces accepted by all in the Caucasus
region. Turkey will play an active role in the fate of this region
along with Russia and Iran. I am sure that Azerbaijan will benefit
from intensified Turkish efforts most of all in the region.

Q: Will you vote for the ratification of the protocols?

A: During the discussions, I will propose not to put protocols to vote
without Azerbaijan’s consent and till concrete results are achieved
in solving the Karabakh issue. If protocols are put to the vote before
reaching any concrete results in solving the Karabakh problem, I will
vote against.

Q: Burden of responsibility of the promise and the documents signed
are not equal. What to believe – the promises or documents signed?

A: The adoption of this document does not mean its immediate
execution. At the international level many documents are adopted,
which remain on paper. I’m not saying that this document will not be
executed. We are subject to time and time will show. I assure you
that there is no reason for concern. The Turkish government thinks
primarily about the interests of Azerbaijan.

Q: How do you feel about the "crisis of a flag" which was observed
after a football match in Bursa?

A: During a football match I was abroad. So I do not know the details
of these events. Decision to exclude the Azerbaijani flag at the
stadium came from FIFA.

Q: The Turkish media reported that the decision about the flag
originally did not come from FIFA …

A: This is not true. Armenia appealed to FIFA asking them not to allow
Azerbaijani flag into the stadium. FIFA also warned Turkey. Prefect of
Bursa initially banned flags of third countries in the stadium. But
then rescinded its ban. Then, Armenia once again appealed to FIFA
and they once again intervened. The culprit of this prohibition is
not Turkey, but Armenia and FIFA.